Authors

Jan 8 Wales Duo Into The Ark Join Sir Tom Jones Team On The Voice UK

Blackwood music duo Into The Ark gained a victory last night by been the first act to be picked by Sir Tom Jones to join his team on the television series The Voice UK which made its broadcast debut on ITV.

Welsh music icon Sir Tom marked his return to the television show by selecting the duo in the first round of blind auditions following an acoustic rendition of the Elvis Presley track Burning Love. Sir Tom told the duo “To take on that song and sing it like you did is very brave. You didn’t sing it like Elvis but I loved that. I would love you to be on my team”

Into The Ark, Marshall Jones and Dane Lloyd accepted a place on Sir Tom’s team despite offers from fellow judges Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale. The pair cited the singer’s industry experience and the fear of what their mothers may say if they declined as their reasons.

The Voice UK first-round success follows several years of busking in and around Wales for the pair who bought a beaten up old van in the Summer of 2015 to allow them to tour. They have subsequently travelled over 60,000 miles around the UK, sleeping in the van, driving from gig to gig and playing over 130 gigs.

Our setup is just two vocals, two guitars and a sample pad.” The duo recently told Andy Howells, “The pad allows us to take parts from our recordings and use them as samples live. We didn't want to get a band just yet, we like the thought of it being just two dudes, with their guitars. All in all its acoustic soul and blues.”

The pair who have recently released their second single, Brightest Creatures, have previously sold out headline shows as well as supported Model Aeroplanes, Paolo Nutini and Eliza & The Bear.